I Became a Fake Priest the Saintess Is Obsessed With

22 – Thrilling Residential Invasion

I generally approach a mission by planning meticulously, considering all routes and variables of the plan, with the goal of flawlessly completing the mission.

Although there are times when planning gives me a headache, having seen many swindling colleagues who end up in tricky situations due to thoughtless execution of missions, I strive to create the most perfect plans.

But don’t get me wrong; my ability to adapt on the fly is not lacking.

Anyway, things to understand before planning are usually basic information like the location, the incident to be resolved, and individuals related to the incident.

This time, the problem to be solved is persuading Viscount Aekid.

A week before the party, I was on a magical train heading to the Aekid Territory for a preliminary survey.

“Wow… the train has a really nice vibe.”

The magical train is a unique means of transportation operated exclusively in the Empire.

A certain magician efficiently created a core that generates energy, and with it, about three trains were made.

Hmm… the core’s name is something like Chojun… whatever.

It’s said to be difficult for magical creatures to operate on the surface, and the core’s heat management is easier underground. So, in each territory, they dug tunnels and operate underground.

I heard it as a rumor, but… there’s a rumor that the slaves of the Ma Tower dug these tunnels.

“Do you need anything?”

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While reading a magazine related to the magical train on the table in the passenger cabin, a well-presented steward brought a cart with various items.

I examined what was inside the cart.

“A cup of coffee, please.”

“Yes, that’ll be 50 fairy tales for a cup of coffee.”

Ugh, it’s expensive.

To think they’re charging me 50 fairy tales when they sell it for 30 at the cafe.

I was momentarily surprised by the outrageous price of the train’s coffee and quickly handed over a silver coin from my pocket.

In return, the attendant gave me five bills, each worth ten fairy tales.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“Well… your bag seems inconvenient here due to its size. Would you like me to move it to the luggage compartment?”

“I have an attachment doll in there. If I’m separated from it even for a moment, I get uneasy.”

“Ah… I see.”

The attendant shot me a disdainful look.

No matter how old I am and even if I mentioned an attachment doll, you’re in the service industry.

You shouldn’t give customers that kind of judgmental look, right?!

“Well then, I’ll check if there’s anything else uncomfortable for you.”

As the attendant left, I hugged the bag to my chest.

Then, I checked if there was anything missing in the room and let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew… luckily, nothing in the bag got exposed.”

Inside the bag were various handmade tools and ‘that’ which I had obtained with difficulty.

It was necessary to prepare various means to protect my body, as the place I was heading to was indeed quite a journey.

[Next stop is the Earl Aikid’s territory. Those getting off, please use the right exit.]

The conductor’s voice echoed through the magic speaker.

I’m fully prepared, and my condition is… more or less!

With my current state, I should be able to handle any crisis situation roughly.

I earnestly prayed for this journey to be free from danger and stepped off the train.

***

The newly arrived Aikid Territory was in a neater state than I had expected.

The streets were narrow, paved with stones, and surrounded by high stone walls with houses nestled within.

The city, bustling with small shops and households, exuded an energetic atmosphere, quite unlike a place on the verge of collapse.

The security within the territory was well-maintained, contrary to what one would expect from a place on the brink of ruin.

“It’s still thriving despite the Earl’s misdeeds.”

According to my preliminary investigation, the Aikid Territory, known for the exceptional rule of the Earl, had prospered to the extent of being one of the most affluent territories among the Earls.

Even with numerous people leaving the territory due to the Earl’s wrongdoings, it was astonishing to see such a scene being maintained.

“The city is lively indeed. Now, it’s time to start working.”

I knew the location of the Earl’s mansion by heart.

Recalling the map, I slowly made my way towards the mansion.

“I should change into different clothes to attract less attention.”

Given the nature of my profession as a priest, I often attracted curious gazes when strolling in the streets. But now, wearing casual clothes instead of the cumbersome priest robes, no one paid me any mind.

Since I had to conduct a preliminary investigation while traveling long distances, I had used an overnight pass, as a day trip would have its limitations.

I am now literally freedom itself.

Having abandoned the occupation of a priest, I can confidently say that I am invincible. However…

[Goddess always watches, so behave well, she says.]

If only that voyeuristic goddess of compassion had done something, it would have been a masterpiece.

Tch, what a pity.

For now, let’s just savor this moment of obtaining freedom.

“Even enjoying freedom involves solving problems and working, right?”

Society takes a strange turn.

To enjoy freedom, you need money.

To get money, you have to give up freedom and work.

Watching people trapped in a society that operates in contradictory ways, occasionally a light sense of reality hits.

But still, work must be done.

‘In the world of materialistic omnipotence, the only thing left is money.’

Sorting out some distractions, I stopped at the door of the mansion.

As expected, or rather, as always, the mansion was securely locked with iron chains.

Although there seemed to be no servants or guards around, I observed the surroundings while wandering, but the outer walls were flawlessly sealed.

“Hmm… I don’t just want to see the exterior, but I want to see the inside…”

To understand what mischief Count Akiede might be up to during the party, I need to explore the inside of the mansion.

I turned back behind the mansion and stared silently at the stone wall blocking all sides, then carefully took out items from the bag I brought.

The items pulled from the bag were a hook and a sturdy rope.

Both were items closely related to climbing.

[The goddess asks if I’m trying to invade her residence]

“Take a look at my vibe, goddess. What do you think?”

[The goddess sighs deeply and simply says to do as I please]

“Well, it was going to be like this anyway!”

With the goddess’s permission, I threw the hook high and hung it on the wall.

Then, I tightened my legs and began climbing the wall.

‘Ugh… It’s tough because my strength is lacking after all!’

It was indeed challenging for Ivan, with his weak physique, to climb a large wall.

Why can’t this guy’s strength increase no matter how much exercise he does? It’s just impossible to understand.

Even though he vigorously did strength exercises regularly, his strength only increased by 1 in 12 years.

Having a weak physique is fine, but isn’t this super weak?

No matter how much I criticize Ivan’s body,

in the end, this guy’s body is my body.

There’s nothing as pathetic as insulting oneself, so let’s stop!

“Persistence… Persistence… Persistence…!”

Squeezing out every bit of strength, I climbed the wall.

Although I was going up slowly, an obstacle appeared before my eyes.

A barbed wire that looked incredibly painful if touched was confronting me.

Hoo… I can do this. I can do it…

“Whaaam!!!”

I kicked off the wall, leaping over the iron fence.

Thanks to Ivan’s extraordinary physical abilities, I couldn’t even attempt a rational descent. Simultaneously vaulting over the wall, I found my face meeting the ground, unable to execute a proper landing.

[Goddess laughs at the sight]

“…Don’t laugh, please.”

Disregarding the goddess’s mockery, I brushed off the dirt covering my body.

Alright, for now, the infiltration was a success.

In this state, entering through the main entrance risked exposure to the count or anyone inside. Therefore, I decided to head for the back entrance.

[Goddess mentions there is no back entrance to the mansion]

“Goddess. Shall I share a famous saying with you?”

[Goddess agrees to listen]

“The path is one you carve for yourself. A good saying, isn’t it?”

I took a glass cutter from my bag and skillfully created a hole in the window large enough for one person to sneak through.

Silently and swiftly, without alerting anyone, I entered the mansion through the window.

“When I leave, if I seal up this hole, it becomes the perfect… investigation.”

[Goddess asks if I just called it a crime]

“Of course not.”

I retorted insolently and proceeded down the corridor.

As is typical in the corridors of the homes of the wealthy, there were numerous doors and rooms in all directions.

Luckily, there was no one outside, just as inside.

It feels completely empty, as if it were a barren field without any signs of popularity.

“Hmm… There must be a viscount, right?”

Although I felt a strange sensation, I cautiously opened one of the doors in front of me.

However, the room was empty.

“?”

Of all the vacant rooms, I chose one and quickly opened another door.

But it was empty.

“???”

Here, there, everywhere, they were all empty.

Every room I opened was empty.

Is this really a mansion that holds parties?

They claim to host parties, yet there’s nothing here?

After opening and searching through various doors, the only place left that clearly appeared to be the viscount’s room.

I carefully confirmed that there was no sign of popularity there and opened the door.

And there, in that place…

“There’s… nothing here…”

It was completely empty.

I had hoped to find some experimental equipment or even our supplies, but there was nothing.

There was at least a manhole cover-like thing on the floor though…

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Carefully, I opened the lid.

“?!”

I thought it would be completely empty, but… I obtained some important information.